Program Description
The Department of Asian Studies offers five minors open to any undergraduate student at Cornell. We encourage students to declare the minor early in their academic path, and no later than the first semester of the graduating year. One does not need to have fulfilled the minor requirements before applying to a minor. Applying declares interest, and the Department will work with a student to shape and fulfill the minor going forward. For further information and application, please visit the Department of Asian Studies website.
Academic Standards
Grade Requirements
All courses must be taken for a letter grade. Grades of S/U or SX/UX will not be accepted.
Each course must be completed with a grade of B- or better to count toward the minor.
Program Information
- Minimum Credits for Minor: 18
Minor Requirements
A minor in South Asian Studies may be achieved by meeting these requirements:
- Complete at least five courses for the required minimum of 18 credits.
- Students normally take courses in South Asian Studies bearing subject heading ASIAN or its cross-listings. Other courses with relevant South Asian content may also count, pending approval by the Department of Asian Studies. Typically, non-language courses are selected at the 2200-level or above.
- The following courses may also count towards the minor: two courses (of at least three credits each) in a South Asian language at the 1100-level or above and South Asian graduate courses. Language study is strongly encouraged; credits awarded for language cannot exceed six credits. Only one language jumpstart course may count towards the minor.
- Take at least one non-language class at the 3000-level or above.
- A maximum of 8 transfer credits from courses taken outside of Cornell may be applied to the minor. For students in the Nilgiris Field Learning Center (NFLC) off-campus program only: non-seniors may apply up to three NFLC courses toward the fulfillment of the five-course requirement, and the minor application should be submitted prior to leaving for South Asia. Graduating seniors with a new interest in this minor after attending the NFLC program may apply up to four courses.
